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India Today
22-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
5 militants killed as rival Kuki-Chin insurgent groups clash in Manipur
At least five militants were killed on Tuesday morning in a violent clash between two rival Kuki-Chin insurgent groups deep inside the forests of Deiveijang village in Manipur's Noney sources confirmed to India Today that the incident took place about 50 kilometres south of Nungba in a remote jungle area with no road connectivity or mobile network coverage."The location is not easily accessible. We have sent a team to the site, but details are still coming in," a senior official The clash reportedly involved cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA) — both non-signatories to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the 2008, the SoO agreement was started by the Government of India through an interlocutor chosen by the home ministry with the aim of finding a political solution for the Kuki population in to sources, the deceased militants have been identified as Alex, Seiboi, Pongba, Ringo, and Rambo, though it remains unclear which group they belonged and intelligence officials believe the gunfight was the result of rising competition between the two groups over territorial control and influence in the hill districts of Manipur and the adjoining Indo-Myanmar UKNA and CKMA are said to be newly formed outfits, composed mainly of splinter elements from older Chin-Kuki insurgent between the groups have been building, particularly after UKNA was allegedly involved in the assassination of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Kuki National Army (KNA) — a SoO signatory group — on June 30. That killing triggered unrest and sparked a wider rift within the Kuki-Chin militant network, insiders the clash, security agencies have intensified surveillance and movement tracking in and around the area, although no official statement has yet been issued by the Manipur Police or central paramilitary forces regarding the incident or any further security of Tuesday evening, the atmosphere in Deiveijang and the surrounding forested region was highly incident adds to the growing complexity of Manipur's already volatile security situation, marked by fractured insurgent loyalties and intermittent armed has witnessed one of the bloodiest episodes in the form of ethnic violence between the members of the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities. In the violence that began in May 2023, over 250 people have been killed and over 60,000 have been displaced.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Manipur
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
5 militants killed in gunfight between 2 groups in Manipur
1 2 Imphal: At least five cadres of a non-SoO militant group were killed in a gunfight early at Deiveijang village in Manipur's Tamenglong district on Tuesday morning. Security sources said the clash erupted between the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA) — both of which are not signatories to the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre. The deceased have been identified as Alex, Seiboi, Pongba, Ringo, and Rambo. Authorities have yet to confirm whether all five belonged to the UKNA, CKMA, or both. The UKNA and CKMA are recently formed, and comprised armed elements from the Chin-Kuki community. They are known to operate across Manipur's hill districts and portions of the India-Myanmar border. Intelligence inputs suggest an ongoing tussle for territorial and organisational dominance between the two since their formation. The incident has sparked fresh security concerns in the region, especially given the involvement of newly formed outfits outside the SoO framework. It's worth mentioning that UKNA was allegedly involved in the killing of the deputy commander-in-chief of the Kuki National Army (KNA), a SoO-signatory group, on June 30. The incident had already stirred unease across the region. Following Tuesday's gunfight, security forces have reportedly intensified surveillance in the area, although no official statement has been released by state police or central agencies regarding the operation or its aftermath.
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur: 5 militants killed in factional clash between Chin-Kuki rebel outfits
IMPHAL: At least five militants were killed in a fierce factional gunfight between two newly formed Chin-Kuki rebel outfits in the dense forests of Deiveijang village near Longpi, under Nungba Police Station in Manipur's Noney district on Tuesday morning, officials confirmed. Officials believe the gunfight was the result of rising tensions and competition between the two factions over territorial and organisational control. (Representational image) A police official said the incident site lies approximately 50 kilometres south of Nungba Police Station and is located deep inside the jungle. 'It is not a motorable road and even there is no mobile signal in the place. We also have no adequate details, but a team has been deployed to the spot,' the official told HT. People familiar with the matter said the clash occurred between cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA), both of which are not signatories to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India. The deceased militants have been identified by the people familiar with the matter as Alex, Seiboi, Pongba, Ringo, and Rambo, though authorities have yet to confirm which group the deceased belonged to. A person aware of the matter said, 'Both UKNA and CKMA are recently formed groups and are mainly composed of armed elements from the Chin-Kuki community. Their operations are spread across the hill districts of Manipur and extend to parts of the Indo-Myanmar border.' Officials believe the gunfight was the result of rising tensions and competition between the two factions over territorial and organisational control. 'There has been a consistent tussle for dominance between these non-SoO groups. The situation has worsened ever since UKNA was allegedly involved in the assassination of the deputy commander-in-chief of the Kuki National Army (KNA) on June 30,' an officer said on condition of anonymity. The slain KNA leader, a member of a group that is a signatory to the SoO pact, was reportedly gunned down by UKNA cadres, sparking unrest and intensifying rifts within the broader Chin-Kuki militant landscape. Security agencies have since stepped up surveillance and movement tracking in and around the incident area, but no formal statement has yet been issued by either the Manipur Police or central paramilitary forces regarding the deaths or any ongoing counter-operations. As of Tuesday evening, the situation in Deiveijang village and surrounding forested areas remained tense.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur: Naga forum objects to presence of Kuki militant camps in Naga ancestral areas
The Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the Governor of Manipur, raising strong objections to the continued presence and proposed relocation of Suspension of Operations (SoO) camps belonging to Kuki militant groups in and around Naga ancestral territories. The committee expressed deep concern that the existence of these camps, as well as the SoO agreement itself, poses a serious threat to communal harmony, constitutional order, and national security in the state. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category The FNCC stated that no SoO camps, whether existing or proposed, should be allowed within Naga-inhabited areas without the knowledge and informed consent of the Naga people. They specifically mentioned the regions of Kharam Vaiphei and Kotlen as part of historically and culturally significant Naga territories. The committee warned that any attempt to establish camps in these areas would be seen as an act of provocation and aggression, likely to incite communal unrest with consequences that could exceed the violence of May 3, 2023. Tracing the origins of the SoO agreement, the FNCC noted that it began as a bilateral arrangement on August 1, 2005, and was later formalised into a tripartite agreement in 2008 between the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, and Kuki militant groups, including the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF). Live Events The FNCC accused Kuki militants of repeatedly violating the terms of the SoO agreement, citing numerous incidents of violence, including kidnappings, arson, assaults, land encroachment, extortion, and attacks on civilians. These incidents, which occurred between March 2023 and July 2025, were described as part of a calculated effort to carry out territorial aggression, ethnic domination, and demographic manipulation. The committee claimed that the SoO camps have evolved into operational hubs for militant expansion, intimidation, and illegal activities such as poppy cultivation, especially in Naga areas like Makhan and Leikhampokpi. The FNCC lamented that the SoO agreement continues to be renewed annually without accountability, raising serious doubts about the intent behind the process. The group criticised the state and central governments for what it called dangerous appeasement policies that have only emboldened lawlessness and eroded public trust in democratic governance. The FNCC declared an indefinite bandh on the movement of Kukis within the foothill regions of Naga-inhabited areas, effective from midnight of July 18. Meiteis, belonging to the erstwhile ruling class, account for 53% of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Naga and Kuki tribes constitute 40% of the population and live in the hill districts. More than 260 people have been killed, and around 70,000 people from different communities have been rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities since May 3. Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 13, four days after the resignation of N. Biren Singh from the Chief Minister's post.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
People evicted in Assam may move to Nagaland, warns students' body
GUWAHATI A students' body in Nagaland has warned against the possible inward movement of 'alleged illegal immigrants' evicted from government land in Assam. More than 50,000 people, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims, have been evicted from reserve forests, wetlands, grazing lands, wastelands, etc., in northeastern and western Assam since June. Resistance to these drives claimed the life of one person in the Goalpara district a few days ago. On Monday (July 21, 2025), the Western Sümi Students' Union (WSSU) expressed deep concern over the ongoing eviction drive in Assam. Its president, Ikato Khulu, and general secretary, Vitoka N. Rochill, issued a statement, saying such drives are threatening areas inhabited by Nagas along the border with Assam. 'It is alarming that such activities are beginning to infringe upon Nagaland's territory, posing a direct threat to the rightful ownership of our land and the safety and security of its residents. These border communities have lived peacefully for generations and have acted as de facto custodians of our State's boundary,' they said. Risk of conflict 'It is pertinent to mention that the alleged illegal immigrants reside near Naga-inhabited areas along the Assam-Nagaland border. This situation further heightens the risks of conflict, displacement, and demographic pressure on our vulnerable border communities,' they said. The WSSU asked the Nagaland government to immediately deploy security forces 'to deter unauthorised actions by external authorities' and ensure 'swift and effective protection of our people.' It also sought steps to prevent a potential influx of illegal immigrants. 'The large-scale evictions, push-backs, and expedited deportations currently underway in Assam will likely trigger displacement-driven movement into Nagaland,' the union stated, resenting the 'slow and inadequate' response of the Nagaland administration to the threat. Dismantle SoO camps In neighbouring Manipur, another Naga organisation has asked the Centre to immediately dismantle camps for Kuki extremist outfits located 'in or around Naga ancestral territories' in the State. These groups had signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre in 2008. In a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee accused the SoO groups of repeatedly violating the terms of the agreement. The committee cited a long list of alleged crimes and violent acts committed by these groups between 2023 and 2025, including extortion, assaults, kidnappings, and the burning of villages. The committee said the SoO agreement 'has become a sanctuary for armed criminals rather than a tool for peace. 'The continued presence and reported relocation of SoO camps into Naga areas represent a direct threat to communal harmony, constitutional order, and national security,' it stated in the memorandum. The committee warned that any attempt to impose such camps in Naga areas would be seen as an act of aggression.
